History
Where were the most recent Japan Olympics held?
A) Beijing
B) Osaka
C) Tokyo
D) Hokkaido
C) Tokyo
The Olympics were held in Tokyo in 1964 and 2020. The winter Olympics were held in Hokkaido in 1972.
Which of the following prefectures is not located on 'Honshu' or the main island?
A) Tokyo
B) Osaka
C) Hiroshima
D) Okinawa
D) Okinawa
Fun fact: Naha is the capital city of Okinawa
A) Toei animation
B) Kyoto animation
C) Shonen Jump
D) Studio Ghibli
D) Studio Ghibli
What drink is Kyoto most famous for?
A) Ramune Soda
B) Matcha Tea
C) Bubble Tea
D) Calpis Soda
B) Matcha Tea
Kyoto is also home of the tea ceremony
What is Anya's last name in the show Spy x Family?
A) Martin
B) Forger
C) Folger
D) Flinger
B) Forger
"Anya peanuts ga suki" Anya likes peanuts.
During Japan's isolationist period, what was the only country they traded with from the west?
A) USA
B) Germany
C) England
D) Holland
D) Holland
The only open port was Dejima in Nagasaki to trade with the Dutch!
Which of the following is the northernmost prefecture in Japan?
A) Hokkaido
B) Kagoshima
C) Niigata
D) Nagano
A) Hokkaido
The winter Olympics were held here in 1972! It can be very 'samui' (cold)
What Japanese board game is similar to chess?
A) Mahjong
B) Go
C) Shogi
D) Karuta
C) Shogi
Although the pieces and movements are different, the concept is similar to chess.
What is 'adzuki'?
A) A type of sushi
B) A type of ramen
C) Sweet red beans
D) Mochi sweets
C) Sweet red beans
These sweet beans are often used inside other sweets or in a sweet soup called 'Oshiruko' or 'Zenzai'
In the show Demon Slayer, what was Tanjiro's dad's name?
A) Tanjuro Kamado
B) Bob the builder
C) Ryunosuke Kamado
D) Senya Kamado
A) Tanjuro Kamado
"Hi no kami kagura" (Dance of the Fire God)
In what year did the shogunate (the reign of the shogun) end?
A) 1867
B) 1900
C) 1963
D) 2001
A) 1867
The fall of the shogunate marked the end of the Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji period.
Which of the following is not a special ward in Tokyo?
A) Shinjuku
B) Mitaka
C) Shibuya
D) Chuo
B) Mitaka
That is a city in Tokyo (where Mr. Martin lived), but not one of the 23 special wards!
Which three childhood ages are celebrated as important milestones?
A) 1, 2, and 3
B) 3, 5, and 7
C) 2, 5, and 10
D) 5, 10, and 15
B) 3, 5, and 7 - often referred to as 'shichi go san' literally meaning 7, 5, 3. In the past, these were ages where many children did not survive, so the children who did survive were celebrated.
What is Japanese barbecue called in Japan?
A) Tapioca
B) Shabu Shabu
C) Yakitori
D) Yakiniku
D) Yakiniku
Fun fact: There is a Gyukaku - Japanese Yakiniku in Atlanta.
What is the top-selling anime of all time?
A) Dragon Ball
B) Hunter X Hunter
C) One Piece
D) Naruto
C) One Piece
"Kaizoku Ou ni ore ha naru!" (I'm gonna be king of the pirates)
Who was at the bottom of the Japanese caste system?
A) Peasants
B) Merchants
C) Samurai
D) Daimyo / Feudal Lords
B) Merchants
Merchants were considered lower than peasants because they did not produce anything and relied on others; however, their wealth often impacted their true status.
What is the second tallest mountain in Japan?
A) Mount Fuji
B) Mount Kita
C) Daisen
D) Mount Haku
B) Mount Kita
Mount Fuji is the largest.
How many national holidays in Japan?
A) 6
B) 16
C) 26
D) 36
B) 16 national holidays
What do Japanese people traditionally eat on New Year's Eve?
A) Soba
B) Edamame
C) Sushi
D) KFC
A) Soba - symbolizes longevity, prosperity, and health.
Many people actually do eat KFC for Christmas!
Which Naruto character uses only Taijutsu?
A) Naruto
B) Hinata
C) Neji
D) Rock Lee
D) Rock Lee
"Bushy Brows"
Who is the new prime minister of Japan?
A) Fumio Kishida
B) Ishiba Shigeru
C) Shinzo Abe
D) Barrack Obama
B) Ishiba Shigeru
It was Fumio Kishida unless a couple of weeks ago!
Which of the following temples is not in Kyoto?
A) Sensoji
B) Toji
C) Higashi Honganji
D) Kiyomizudera
A) Sensoji is a temple in Tokyo often called 'Asakusa Temple' because of its location.
Which princess left the royal family to marry a commoner?
A) Princess Akiko
B) Princess Azula
C) Princess Keiko
D) Princess Mako
D) Princess Mako
She left the family in 2021 and moved to New York where she currently lives.
Which prefecture is famous for taco rice?
A) Okinawa
B) Nagasaki
C) Hokkaido
D) Tokyo
A) Okinawa
The invention of taco rice was heavily influenced by the American military presence in Okinawa.
Who is the main character in the anime Slam Dunk?
A) Rukawa Kaede
B) Haruko Akagi
C) Sakuragi Hanamichi
D) Hisashi Mitsui
C) Sakuragi Hanamichi
”Katsu to omou na, makenai to omoe" Don't think 'I'm gonna win', think 'I'm not gonna lose'